NJG Combat Loss 3/4 Feb 45

[RodM]

Hi Mark,

the Garzweiler location is correct. As is usually the case, the details known just don't neatly (and conveniently) tie in together! I believe that the KTB of I./NJG1 also confirms this incident as originally described, which again precludes the possibility of the 410 Sqdn Mossie. The height of the Mossie combat alone, if correct, rules out any night fighter hunting in the bomber stream.

Anyway, following is the text of the 410 Sqdn Combat Report (courtesy of Richard Koval in Canada):

"Statistical
3-4, February 1945
410 Sq RCAF
Mosquito XXX MK X AI
22:00
F-1574 (Approx Garzweiler Area)
Clear Starlight Visibility excellent
Nil
Nil
1 HE-219 destroyed
Nil
Pilot FL BE. Plummer Nav FL EH. Collis
Airbourne from B-48 ( Amiens Glisy ) at 20:55, landing back at 23:50 hours. Set course from AI beacon FY and handed over to Greenroger 15119 GCI SLdr Allen. Patrolled for a short time in Roermund area at 10,000 feet, informed of trade 8,000 feet above and south, given vector of 190 degrees. We were informed by GCI that target was possible friendly and GCI was trying to establish identity. Given easterly vector and still climbing. At 15,000 feet was informed that target was definately a bogey. FL Plummer continues, GCI told us that the target was orbitting and gave us a cut off vector. Contact was obtained at 3 miles, starboard, 40 degrees above at height of 18,000 feet. Target was doing continuous orbits. We climbed to 26,000 feet and obtained a visual on the exhausts (which appeared greenish) at 2,000 feet range, target 12 o clock 30 degrees. We closed to 500 feet, dead below and identified as a HE-219, closed further to 200 feet dead below and FL Collis confirmed identity with aid of night glasses. The recognition features most prominant were wing shape (which in plan view to be extremely similar to the thunderbolt wing) and engine nacelles extended beyond wing. We dropped back to 500 feet range, dead behind, height still 26,000 feet and opened fire with one burst and an explosion was seen in the fuselage, followed by a slight fire. The EA dived off steeply to port, I followed him down until our speed passed 450 mph and pulled out and did an orbit, my height was 17,000 feet. The EA was seen to explode and burn on the ground. I gave Canary to GCI and asked for a fix. We were told by SLdr Allen that another bogey was near by, possibly investigating us. We were given various vectors but no contact was obtained and were were informed the bogey dissappeared. Fix was given as F-1574, approximately Garzweiler. We returned to position of kill and searched at 3,000 feet above fire to see if second bogey was investigating crash but had no joy. No return fire was experienced, therefore I claim 1 HE-219. Ammo used 27 rounds 20 mm."


Cheers

Rod